Tongs.



Patented Ian. 7, I902. W. HOPKIE. TDNGS (Application filed June 4, 1901.)

(NoblodeL) 1n: NORRIS PETERS 00, Pm)

PATENT FFICE.

\VILLIAM HOPKIE, OF MUSGATINE COUNTY, IOWA.

TONGS.

fiPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,860, dated January '7, 1902.

Application filed June 4:, 1901.

i To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that LWILLIAM HOPKIE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Muscatine county, State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tongs in which lever-handles are provided with jaws; and the objects of my invention are to provide pipe-tongs readily adjustable and convertible into pliers or nippers or into a Wire-stretcher. I attain these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the tongs in position for use as pliers or nippers or as a wirestretcher. Fig. 2 is a view in section on the line 011. m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the tongs, showing thumb-screw D. Fig. 4 is a side view of the tongs in position for use as pipe-tongs.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The tongs are composed of two lever-handles A and B, provided with jaws, the lever-- handle A being provided with an extended slot, through which the lever-handle 13 projects. The lever-handle A at the point of intersection of the lever-handle B is provided with recesses G, into which the removable pin 0 fits. The lever-handle A is also provided with a thumb-screw D. The fulcrum is formed either by thepin operating in the recesses G or by the end of the thumb-screw D. The concave surface of thejaw of 1everhandle A is provided with teeth I, pointing toward the fulcrum, and the convex surface of the jaw of lever-handle B is provided with teeth H, pointing away from the fulcrum. The pin 0 is removable, and when withdrawn the lever-handle B may be drawn through the slot in lever-handle A, inverted, and reinserted in the slot and the pin inserted through both lever-handles and forming a fulcrum. The convex surface of the jaw of lever-handle A is also provided with teeth J. The middle portion F of the face of the jaws is slightly toothed to enable it to hold firmly to objects grasped between the middle portions of the jaws. The outer portions of the faces of the jaws E E are cut away toward the fulcrum, so as to make a cutting edge.

In operating as a pipe wreneh or tong, as

shown in Fig. 4, the outer jaw is first placed Serial No. 63,157- (No model.)

around the pipe. The inner jawis then moved 5 5 till it comes in contact with the pipe by turning the thumb-screw D or placing the pin C in the recesses G. The lever-handles are then drawn together, thus gripping the pipe firmly. When used as nippers, as in Fig. 1, the object to be out is placed between the cutting edges of the jaws and pressure exerted, and as pliers the object to be held is placed between the central parts FF and the handles drawn together. When used as a wire-stretcher,the wire is grasped between the portions F F. The toothed portion J is placed against the post or object to which the wire is to be stretched and forms a fulcrum upon which the entire tool is turned as a lever, thus drawing the wire taut. The enlargement of the jaw of lever-handle A gives a longer pull upon the lever, the fulcrum changing with the turning of the jaw upon the post.

From the above description it is manifest that my improved tongs can be readily, quickly, and easily adjusted to all sizes of pipe within reasonable limits, can be quickly and readily converted into pliers or nippers.

or a wire-stretcher in the manner described, and also can be used for practically all purposes for which pliers or nippers are commonly used.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the slotted leverhandle and jaw A, the removable and reversible lever-handle and jaw B substantially as described.

2. The combination of the slotted leverhandle and jaw A, the removable pin 0 and the removable and reversible lever-handle and jaw B substantially as described.

3. The combination of the lever-handle and jaw A the lever-handle and jaw B, the hooked jaw of the lever-handle A enlarged so as to give a longer pull when using the implement as a lever with the portion J as the fulcrum for stretching wires held by the jaws, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM I-IOPKIE.

Witnesses 2 BLANCHE CAMPBELL, Jon Suounv. 

